Your Commander-in-Chief – Chapter 58

October 16th. The third day of the finals is underway.

Just like the Round of 16, the quarterfinals went off without a hitch.

But after the quarterfinals ended, a big message appeared on the broadcast screen.

[Please wait a moment.]

All the viewers thought there was a problem with the broadcast, but that wasn’t the case.

Before long, as soon as that message disappeared, three neatly dressed people appeared on the broadcast screen.

[Hello everyone. It’s great to see you all. We’ll now be starting the live coverage of the first Deron Online Grand Tournament Arena.]

The broadcast began with greeting from the man sitting in the middle.

A short message popped up below him, revealing who he was.

[Choi Sung-jun]

Someone who had transitioned from being a VRS professional gamer to a commentator. For those who follow game broadcasts religiously, his voice was familiar enough to have been heard occasionally.

Even if they didn’t know his name, they recognized his voice.

That was the reaction of the majority.

[And to assist us, we have the current number one rank in the Deron Arena, Zeros, and Jin from the W.S team who is also a VRS pro. Let’s welcome them.]

[Nice to meet you. I’m Zeros.]

[Hello. I’m Jin.]

The quarterfinals were where the real experts came to clash.

That’s why the game company, Deron, prepared commentators for the viewers.

[If you play Deron, you’re probably familiar with this nickname. Zeros is the current number one ranked in the arena, and we brought him here to provide even more detailed information for the viewers.]

Once Choi Sung-jun’s words wrapped up, Zeros, who was seated on the left, nodded respectfully.

Then Choi Sung-jun continued.

[If you play VRS, you ought to know him, right? Jin is a first-team member of W.S and is here for the same reason.]

After Choi Sung-jun finished speaking, a screen came up.

The list of players advancing to the semifinals, along with their win rates based on the votes from the betting event.

[Everyone didn’t forget the betting for the match, right? You can use the points you earn after the match to purchase various event rewards, so please participate a lot! I know both Zeros and Jin here have participated in the betting, can you guys share your picks?]

In response to Choi Sung-jun’s request, Zeros and Jin readily nodded.

Then the screen changed, revealing Zeros’ pick.

Seeing such a prepared material, it seemed like they had coordinated in advance.

A brief explanation followed comparing Zeros’ pick with the viewers’ expected win rates.

Afterward, Jin’s pick was revealed, and a short comparison was made regarding the expected win rate from the viewers.

[The match time is approaching. Let’s wrap up the chit-chat and take a look at the players who have advanced to the semifinals.]

As soon as Choi Sung-jun’s words concluded, the broadcast screen shifted to display the matchup brackets.

Choi Sung-jun moved his mouse to click on the left side of the brackets.

[Let’s take a look from the left. Yeo and N.R-Abox are up.]

Choi Sung-jun manipulated the mouse to display detailed information about those players.

First up was Yeo.

There was a screenshot showing her character from the front, with a short description about the user below.

[She’s currently one of the hottest topics, right? Her customization skills are as impressive as her gaming skills. I’d say she’s one of the strongest contenders for this tournament. Zeros, what can you tell us about Yeo in Deron?]

[When you think of Deron, she’s one of the users that comes to mind. She’s the only person on the server with a World Item, and that achievement is remarkable.]

[Have you faced each other in the arena?]

[Yes, quite a few times.]

[If you had to sum up Yeo in one line?]

[Hmm… I’d say, you can’t let your guard down? Sharp? Something like that.]

[Ah, it’s a bit vague, but I’m sure anyone who’s seen Yeo’s matches would agree with that sentiment.]

Choi Sung-jun wrapped up his comments and displayed information on Yeo’s opponent.

N.R-AboX

He’s a first-team player from Night Raven, wielding dual weapons.

His class is Thief, with sub-classes being Assassin rank 2 and Night Walker rank 2.

[N.R-AboX belongs to the Night Raven team, known as the Night Crow. He chose the Thief class to utilize the swordsmanship his team specializes in. Jin, what kind of player is AboX?]

[AboX is a really sharp player. He’s regarded as the strongest blade in the Night Raven team.]

[Jin’s praise is quite high here. If Yeo and AboX were to face off, who do you think would win?]

[Hmm… I think Yeo has the higher win rate.]

[Oh, why is that?]

[I saw the Round of 16 match yesterday when Yeo faced N.R-AboX.]

[Was her performance that impressive?]

[Um, it’d be quicker to see it rather than explain with words. The match time is approaching, after all.]

With Jin’s comment wrapping up, the screen shifted again.

The expansive arena map that viewers had been familiar with unfolded, showing both players standing across from each other.

[Oh, what’s this…?]

The commentator Choi Sung-jun asked, flustered, watching the broadcast screen.

His gaze was fixated on a small girl.

The other commentators shared the same reaction of surprise. Zeros, who had been softly groaning, hastily began to explain.

[Yeo… she’s sporting angel wings… Looks like she received that costume as a reward from a recent global event.]

[Oh, so it’s an event reward. I was worried that there was an issue with the player since her appearance changed so suddenly.]

As the commentary mentioned, the small girl named Yeo had enormous angel wings draped over her back, large enough to envelop her entire body.

It appeared she was quite pleased and found them impressive, as she kept shifting her back to flutter the grand wings.

[She seems quite satisfied, doesn’t she?]

[That smile on her face is never leaving…]

As they were all captivated by Yeo’s angelic appearance, the waiting time concluded, and the match began.

[Alright, the match has started. Both players appear to be cautious, as if they’re sizing each other up…]

[Honestly, it’s hard to concentrate on the match with those wings.]

As the commentators remarked, the gigantic angel wings Yeo wore were an overwhelmingly eye-catching costume.

Even when trying to closely observe AboX, the fluttering wings caught their gaze each time they moved slightly.

In that moment, AboX began his attack, closing in with his sword to activate the skill [Shadow Pull].

The black effect extended as it enveloped Yeo’s body.

At that instant, Yeo submitted to the draw while slamming her sword down to the ground.

The skill [Frenzy] activated as she was pulled in.

Bang!

But the attack didn’t land. AboX’s figure was covered in shadows, disappearing completely.

It was an instantaneous test of skills.

[Oh, AboX managed to escape well there. If he got greedy, he would’ve been utterly torn apart by the ensuing Frenzy!]

[AboX’s figure has vanished. It seems he’s hiding and looking for an opportunity, oh! Just as we mention it!]

As the commentators pointed out, AboX used stealth, looking for an opening.

Using the skill [Assassination], he could only activate it if he got up close with the opponent.

As soon as AboX crept closer to Yeo, those giant angel wings fluttered, unleashing a flurry of sharp sword strikes.

It was as if AboX’s approach had been anticipated.

The scene displayed during the Round of 16 began to replay.

A relentless flurry of strikes overwhelmed AboX, who had initiated the advance himself.

[Ah! Yeo knew of the stealth approach!]

[The stealth skill of Thieves can conceal their form perfectly, but the footsteps and sounds are left behind. It seems Yeo caught onto his footsteps!]

[She displayed this kind of gameplay in the Round of 16 too.]

The exchanges of swords between Yeo and AboX continued.

As the shimmering sword blades flashed in the air, each clash pushed AboX back.

As AboX’s health dwindled, Yeo’s attack speed increased, and the strength behind her strikes intensified.

Clang!

Yeo moved decisively, swinging her sword with force.

The upward strike slightly lifted AboX’s body, pushing him further back.

Yeo didn’t let that chance slip by. She erupted with vibrant red energy, leaping into the air.

[Oh! Yeo’s airborne!]

It was a clear expression of her intent to finish the opponent.

The large angel wings behind the small girl fluttered widely.

Bang!

The activation of the [Leap Strike].

A powerful shockwave slammed AboX down. AboX, having allowed the full force of the descent strike, could not withstand the ensuing blows and lost his head.

[She flew! Just flew!]

[The sight of those wings spreading was completely angelic.]

Winner.

[Yeo]

1 win 0 losses.

Loser.

[N.R-AboX]

0 wins 1 loss.

[Yeo takes the first match!]

The match concluded.

Both players returned to the original spots, blurred lights surrounding them.

In that moment, AboX raised his hand and began to say something to Yeo across the way.

[Oh, AboX is requesting to talk to Yeo now. I wonder what it’s about?]

[Not sure. It’s a bit disappointing since we can’t hear the conversation content.]

Yeo, who had been quietly listening to AboX, suddenly frowned.

As if she was upset.

Then she gently caressed her wings, seeming to be sympathetic, and showed movements with her fingers towards the air, manipulating the system.

[Oh, she took her wings off. It seems AboX asked Yeo to remove her wings.]

[Those were quite the flashy wings. It’s no wonder they attracted attention.]

[It seems she’s not too bothered about his request since there’s no request for a rematch.]

[Yeo appears to be complying readily with AboX’s request.]

[Look at her expression. Seems she’s not too happy about this.]

Having removed the wings, Yeo pouted her lips, just like a child who had their favorite toy taken away.

[Now, just as I mention that, the match has started again.]

As the waiting time ended, the match commenced once more.

Yeo showcased a different style of gameplay this time.

It looked as if she was determined to end the match quickly, displaying some reckless aggression while pressuring her opponent.

Even when the attacks were avoidable, she recklessly took the hits. She was exhausting her health deliberately, activating the Berserker’s skills.

The moment all the skills were activated, a barrage of all available skills was unleashed, pummeling AboX’s body.

Even using stealth wouldn’t help AboX evade her attacks. Yeo relentlessly pursued the now-invisible AboX, swinging her sword mercilessly.

Once again, AboX faced yet another loss.

The duel was far from over. From the quarterfinals onwards, the win condition shifted to a best of five.

But.

In the end, AboX couldn’t score a single win.

The relentless strikes of the Berserker severed the Night Crow’s neck.

Winner.

[Yeo]

3 wins 0 losses.

Loser.

[N.R-AboX]

0 wins 3 losses.

[Yeo advances to the finals.]

[The match has concluded. Yeo has reached the finals.]

As the match ended, the arena began to fade away.

In that moment, the large angel wings once again appeared behind Yeo, who stood still.

[Oh, she drew her wings out again. Looks like she truly likes them.]

Yeo looked at the fading form of her opponent while resting her sword on her shoulder.

A smile that couldn’t be hidden spread across her half-transparent face.